Four schoolgirls have been chosen to play the title role in Matilda the Musical when it opens next month at the Cambridge Theatre, London. Following their successful auditions, 10 year old Eleanor Worthington Cox, 11 year olds Cleo Demetriou and Sophia Kiely and 12 year old Kerry Ingram have been chosen to play the role of the child genius, based on Roald Dahl’s 1988 classic children’s story.

Ingram believed that she had ruined her chances of gracing the West End stage in Matilda, as she told the Evening Standard:

“I mucked up my song really badly and I started crying. It was so embarrassing. But they let me sing another one and I did Somewhere Over The Rainbow.”

Despite her setback, she landed the role along with three others who were celebrating the announcement yesterday on the London Eye.

Cyprus-born Demetriou is no stranger to the West End stage, as playing Matilda marks her third role. She has previously performed in Les Miserables and The Sound of Music.

Matilda was commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company and features music and lyrics by comedian Tim Minchin. It opens at the Cambridge Theatre on 18th October 2011.